El Toro Airport Debate Rages On

I am alarmed that the El Toro airport issue continues to be debated! Orange County voters have gone to the polls twice, and the majority agreed an airport at El Toro Marine base makes the most sense.

An extensive environmental impact report confirmed a commercial airport would be feasible. Our county supervisors examined detailed reports from various committees who had studied the issue, and hearings were held welcoming public input. There has never been another issue in our county that has received more attention and been so thoroughly investigated.

There should be no further waste of our taxes to explore other options regarding this issue.

R.F. OLSON

Anaheim

* I am outraged over the decision by the Board of Supervisors to spend taxpayer dollars on a PR effort for the conversion of the El Toro Marine Air Station to an international, commercial airport.

What on Earth could possibly have led to such a decision? Could it be the same Newport Beach special interests that led them to approve the airport in the first place? Could it be the same failure in reasoning that led them to endorse an obviously flawed environmental impact report? Or, could it be the same arrogant use of power that led them to disregard the interests and health of the people directly affected by the airport.

Whatever the reason, this idea cries out to be reconsidered.

WAYNE RAYFIELD

Dana Point

* Yes, the county government does have a credibility problem in the eyes of South County residents, but hiring a PR firm will not help. In fact, they should lack credibility in the eyes of all Orange County residents with this stunt. This is the type of arrogant mismanagement that led to the bankruptcy of Orange County.

Here is a bankrupt county that had to eliminate departments, put employees out of work, limit library hours, eliminate extra curricular school programs, etc., and yet three people decide to spend $800,000 of the taxpayers’ money to hire a PR firm to provide news about the planning process and respond to claims made by airport opponents. The news media is competently informing the public about the process taking place. Certainly the big, strong county isn’t afraid of the articles and the letters that are being printed--are they?

GLENDA N. MADDOX

Irvine